Random Acts of Poetry Day

Each year on the first Wednesday of October, Random Acts of Poetry Day invites people to spread the joy of poetry in surprising and creative ways. This celebration encourages individuals of all backgrounds to share spontaneous verses through handwritten notes, public readings, or online posts, making poetry a delightful part of everyday life. For an example, watch this clip from KOLR10 & Fox49:

How to Celebrate Random Acts of Poetry Day

We don’t really know who is behind this day, but on this day, people are typically encouraged to celebrate the day by spreading poetry in unexpected ways. Here are a few things you could do to celebrate Random Acts of Poetry Day:

• You could write a poem for someone you know, like a friend, family member, or colleague, and share it with them as a surprise.
• You could leave poems in public places where others might find them, such as on park benches, bus stops, or tucked into books at the library.
• Posting poems on social media, using the hashtag #RandomActsofPoetryDay is something many people like to do on this day.
• Some might prefer to perform poetry in unexpected places, like reciting a poem in a café, at a bus stop, or on a street corner.

When Is Random Acts of Poetry Day?

Celebrated annually on the first Wednesday of October, this day is dedicated to bringing the surprise and beauty of poetry into everyday moments.

Poets Who Surprise: Celebrating Random Acts of Poetry

In the spirit of Random Acts of Poetry Day, it’s worth noting that some poets have long embraced spontaneity and unpredictability in their work. These poets didn’t just write verses; they often engaged in what could be called ‘random acts’ of poetry, bringing their words to life in unexpected ways and places. From Allen Ginsberg’s surprise readings to Frank O’Hara’s everyday insights, these poets show that poetry can pop up anywhere:

Allen Ginsberg

A key figure in the Beat Generation, Ginsberg was known for his spontaneous, often public readings of poetry, sometimes in unexpected places. His poem “Howl” was famously first performed at a gallery reading in San Francisco, which became an iconic moment in literary history.

William Carlos Williams

While not traditionally “random” in a chaotic sense, Williams often found poetry in everyday moments and objects. His famous poem “This Is Just to Say” which reads like a note left on a kitchen counter, captures the essence of a random, everyday act turned into poetry.

Frank O’Hara

A member of the New York School, O’Hara was known for his “I do this, I do that” style, where he wrote poems about seemingly mundane, everyday activities. His poetry often feels spontaneous, capturing moments as they happen, like in his “Lunch Poems” collection, which he wrote during his lunch breaks.

John Cooper Clarke

The “punk poet” of the UK, Clarke is known for his rapid-fire, often improvised performances, which blend humor, social commentary, and a bit of chaos. His performances often feel like random acts of poetry, delivered with an unpredictable energy.

E. E. Cummings

Known for his unconventional use of language, punctuation, and form, Cummings often surprised readers with his playful, experimental poetry. His work can be seen as a series of random acts that break the rules of traditional poetry.

Before You Go:

We have many more national days lists for you to explore.

• Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
• Non-food national days: National Days Calendars 2024-2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
• Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.